Rare Spitfire excavation begins in Somerset field

Work has begun to dig up a rare Mark II Spitfire just two days before the 73rd anniversary of the day it crashed.

Archaeologists began unearthing the aeroplane near Weston-super-Mare on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The aeroplane, named The Black Horse, crashed on 12 July 1942 after it hit another Spitfire in mid air.

The pilot, Sgt William James Johnston, parachuted to safety. His son said it was "amazing" to witness the dig.

Last year experts discovered its location after decades of research, with specialist equipment used to identify its exact position.

The Black Horse is believed to be about 20ft (6m) below ground and one of the best preserved Spitfire crash sites in the UK.

It was named after the Lloyds Bank logo, because it was bought for £7,000 by bank staff in 1940 after they decided to help the war effort.

Mr Johnston's son Richard, 61, travelled from Carrigaline in the Republic of Ireland to witness the dig.

He said: "Words can't really describe it.

"My father just didn't talk about the war at all, even to my mother.

"Two weeks ago we had a phone call from a local historical society and we all took the ferry last night.

"It is just amazing to be here to see this, especially for my children as they sadly missed out on meeting their grandfather.

"[My son] William is named after my father. He is 23 now and my father would have been 24 at the time of this crash. It is very moving."

TV presenter and historian Dan Snow also took part in the dig as it was streamed live.